My Blog's 4th Monthsary and Crema De Fruta

Time really flies so fast...especially when you're having fun! It seems it was just yesterday when I started Pinay In Texas Cooking Corner...but four months have actually gone by!  With over 200 followers via GFC & FB & 155 via Twitter, and with 16,895 Pageviews( based from Google Analytics) since the day I started, I feel I am doing quite good. I know some others have done better within the same span of time, but for a first time blogger, I guess it's good enough! I've been invited to take part in a book blog tour which will happen in July...I've also won 2 recipe challenges and I got nominated on Babble's TOP 100 FOOD MOM BLOGS 2011, so I feel that I'm going somewhere! I'm a "work-in-progress" blogger, and so far, I can say that the progress is going on well!!! By the way, if you haven't voted for me on  Babble's TOP 100 FOOD MOM BLOGS 2011, please do so...and help me stay in it! I'm currently in #81!

From the bottom of my heart, I would like to thank all of you who never fail to show me some love and support! In my four months of blogging, I've learned a lot and that includes the fact that "Only true friends will always be there for you in whatever endeavor you take". Believe it or not, blogging  has thought me that sometimes those people you consider your good friends aren't really what you think they are. It's kinda disappointing when you don't see any form of support from those people you expect to get it from! But I'm glad --- now I know who my real friends are! Thanks to blogging! (^.^)

Unlike my blog's first 3 monthsaries where I shared noodle dishes, today I'll share a cake recipe. In celebration of Pinay In Texas Cooking Corner's 4th Monthsary, let me share with you my CREMA DE FRUTA which was inspired by Adora of Adora's Box who I found in the blogosphere recently. Adora is a Filipina foodie who lives in London with her husband and two kids. She shares her wonderful collection of recipes through her blog. Last week, she posted her Crema De Fruta Gateau recipe on Adora's Box...and I tell you, it looks so good that I wanted to make it that same day! But it was Mother's Day weekend and I didn't want to spend my time in the kitchen, so I didn't! But last Wednesday when it was all rainy here in Little Elm, I suddenly craved for it. So I checked her recipe again to find out if I have the necessary ingredients. Well, I had most of them, but I didn't have plain flour, corn flour, powdered unflavored gelatin and canned peaches...but I really wanted to make it! Since I didn't want to go out on a heavy rain, I just substituted. Instead of plain & corn flour, I just used all-purpose flour. I substituted the canned peaches with Del Monte Mandarin Oranges in light syrup, and the powdered gelatin with agar-agar. I also added some grapes for topping. I only have two round cake pans, so instead of 3 layers, I just made 2. I must admit that Adora's version looks better...but mine came out good too! :) I'm sharing with you the recipe with the substitutions. If you want Adora's recipe, click here... and do check her other recipes cause they are all awesome!

Crema De Fruta (Cream of Fruit) in the Philippines is a favorite dessert which is layered sponge cake with custard & fruit filling, and fruit & gelatin toppings. Adora made it Gateau version for better presentation, and that's what I did too. It is somewhat time consuming to make, but I assure you that your patience and hard work will be all worth it! :)


Ingredients for the cake:
  • 1 1/8 cup all purpose flour
  • 1 ½ tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • ¼ cup oil
  • 4 eggs, separated
  • ¼ cup water
  • 2 Tbsp lemon juice
  • ¼ tsp cream of tartar
 
Procedure:
1. Pre-heat the oven to 350°F. Line the bottom of  two 9" diameter cake pans with baking paper. Set aside.
2. Sift the flour, baking powder, salt and 6 Tbsp of the sugar in a mixing bowl. Make a well in the center and to it add the egg yolks, oil, water and lemon juice. Gently mix with a whisk, beginning from the center and slowly incorporating the dry ingredients. Mix until well blended.


3. Add the cream of tartar to the egg whites and beat with an electric mixer until soft peaks form. Add the rest of the sugar gradually, while beating, until the mixture is stiff but not dry. 


4. Add a dollop of egg white mixture to the egg yolk mixture and blend. This will slacken the egg yolk mixture and will make it easier to combine the two mixtures. Add all of the egg yolk mixture to the rest of the egg white mixture and fold gently until well combined. 


5. Divide the mixture into the 2 prepared baking pans and bake for 20 to 30 minutes or until cake tester comes out clean.


5. Invert into baking racks and cool in the pans.

Ingredients for the custard:
  • 1/3 cup all purpose flour
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • 1 can evaporated milk
  • 1 can condensed milk
  • 5 egg yolks
  • 2 Tbsp butter
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Procedure:
1. Mix the sugar and flour in a heavy bottomed saucepan. Add the milk while whisking. Add the condensed milk and egg yolks. 


2. Cook on low heat until thick. Take off the heat and add the butter and the flavouring. Transfer to a bowl and cover the surface with a disc of baking paper to prevent skin from forming. Refrigerate when cooled.



Ingredients for the fruit and jelly topping:
  • 12 strawberries
  • 3 bananas
  • 20 seedless red grapes
  • 2 4-oz cups Del Monte Mandarin Orange in Light Syrup
  • 2 Tbsp lemon juice plus 2 Tbsp sugar
  • 1 Tbsp unflavored gelatin (I didn't have powdered gelatin so I used ½ flaked agar-agar bar)
  • ¼  cup water
  • 2 Tbsp sugar
  • 1 cup reserved mandarin juice or any juice

Procedure:
1. Cut 8 strawberries into cubes. Slice the bananas and mix with the lemon juice and sugar mixture to prevent from browning.
2. Slice the rest of the strawberries into quaters.
3. Set aside 2 Tbsps of the juice for brushing the cake layers.
4. Put the powder gelatine or the flaked agar-agar in a small bowl and add 2 tbsps. of the water to make it swell. Mix the rest of the water (2tbsp) with the sugar in a saucepan and bring it to a boil. Take off the heat and add the gelatine. Stir until the gelatine is fully dissolved then add the juice. Leave to cool and thicken slightly (consistency should be like that of an egg white).


To assemble the cake:
1. All the ingredients must be cooled before you assemble. Brush the cakes with the reserved 2 Tbsp of peach juice. Spread 1/3 of the custard on the bottom cake layer and add ½ of the cubed strawberries and 1/3 of the sliced bananas. Since I only have two layers and I have extra custard, I topped the fruit with another layer of custard then topped it again with another 1/2 of the cubed strawberries and 1/3 sliced bananas. Then I top it with the 2nd cake and topped it with the remaining 1/3 of the custard. 


2. Wrap foil around the cake and fasten with sticky tape or use a cake ring. This will hold everything in place as the jelly sets. Arrange the mandarin orange, grapes, sliced strawberries and bananas decoratively on top of the cake. Make sure the cake surface is completely covered with fruits so that the jelly is not absorbed into the cake. 


3.Pour the cooled and slightly thick gelatine gently over the arranged fruits. Prick any bubbles with a toothpick. Refrigerate until set. This can be done a day ahead.



To finish the cake:

1. Whip 300 ml (about 1 ¼ cup) of heavy cream and ½ cup icing sugar together until thick and fluffy.
2. Ice the cake part of the gateau but leave the fruit topping bare. You can add more fruits on top for decoration.

28 comments:

  1. Looks sooo good! Thanks for finding me! I'm your newest follower!! :)

    www.epicureanmom.com

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    1. Where do you buy icing bag and the pointy thingy and cream???


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    2. If you're here in the US, you can get them at Walmart.

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  2. Tina, thank you very, very much for all the plugging :) Your Crema de Fruta looks fantastic and am sure it tastes that, too. Congratulations on your fourth monthsary. You are doing really, really well. I hope you reap more rewards in the future. Thanks for being my foodie friend.

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  3. You're so welcome, Adora! You deserve all those plugging...after all, I used your recipe! ;)
    I'm truly glad I found you! So happy to be your foodie friend! :-*

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  4. you're cake is stunning !! a real beauty !!

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  5. absolutely gorgeous cake!!!! love it!!!

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  6. Hi Tina-Since I announce to you that I have an award for you, Blogger did not put the name of the list back up, just like my former comments have all disappeared.
    I had your name on the list for the Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award...I can't start another list now, too much time involved. Please just come back to my blog, and grab the award for you!

    Your cake is gorgeous, and all the fresh fruit and decoration...amazing!
    I can't get over how well you did the basket weave decoration. Absolutely superb!!!

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  7. Hi Tina! Congrats on your blog's 4th Monthsary and also your latest Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award from Elisabeth! That's double happiness! :D
    Your cake is beautiful and I like the side design, very nice! :D
    p.s. Tks so much for your help on my blog's badge widget, greatly appreciated! I'll need to make another one coz my image is too small.. LOL
    Have a great enjoyable weekends!

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  8. Yummy! I love your blog, and I voted for you on Babble. Keep up the good work. My sister and I are new on our blog too:) Oh, hi from voiceboks.
    ~Courtney

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  9. congrats on your blog 4th monthsary. cream of fruit looks awesome dleicious.

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  10. Hi! Following you from FNF blog hop!
    Hope you visit me and return the follow!:0)

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  11. This cake looks amazing!!! :)

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  12. Mama mia! How I miss Crema de Fruta. What a nice series of photos you have, how you describe the process is a plus! Love it! Happy Weekend!

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  13. Wow! This looks soooo BEAUTIFUL Tina!!! It looks better than a cake from a pastry shop! I am sure it also tastes fantastic! And congratulations on your 4th monthsary! Are are doing GREAT and I am so happy to be following you! I almost feel I "know know" you!!! Have a great Sunday! :-)

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  14. Looks delicious! Thanks for stopping by Jessica, The Mom!

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  15. congrats Tina and will get more hits in times to come.

    btw, its a lovely cake and very colorful one too.

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  16. I found you through the link on Just one cookbook, and I am so glad I did - what a wonderful blog! And this cake is absolutely gorgeous!

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  17. omg.. this looks soo goood.. i will attempt to make it.. next time ;)

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  18. This looks so delicious! Love your blog! Wow look at what you have created in 4 short months! Amazing! New follower from FNF! So happy I found you! Best to you!

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  19. Congrats!!!! Your blog is lovely and I am so glad that we found each other.because I am enjoying your lovely dishes! This cake looks and sounds amazingly delicious!!!
    Have a wonderful night!

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  20. The cake looks amazing! I can't wait to try the recipe. Keep up the good work 'cause I am now following you.

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  21. When you said 4 month, I realized that I'm doing this for 4 months too. :-) You created a wonderful blog and I totally enjoy visiting you Tina! Keep up the good work because we all appreciate your site. :-) I'm sure this cake made Adora super happy! You did a wonderful job!

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  22. This is an amazing recipe and presentation. Major kudos to you!!! Happy 4th month anniversary. You have been doing such an amazing job and surely deserve all the success you have seen! Best wishes for many more years of success.

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  23. Thank you all for the lovely comments! Pinay In Texas Cooking Corner won't be here if not for all the support I'm getting from you...THANK YOU SO MUCH!

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  24. What a great way to celebrate your 4 months in the blogosphere, your cake is beautiful! BTW check your position on Babble's TOP 100 FOOD MOM BLOGS 2011 -- it is getting better by the minute!

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  25. WOW! I'm on #75 now! Can't believe it!
    Thanks to everyone who voted!!! (^.^)

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  26. Stumled on your site when i was looking for a good crema de fruta recipe. Looks sooo good! I cant wait to make one myself!

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